Entre Nous.

Flair for the dramatic

Last Friday I had the day off, so S and I decided to head over to Tradition Hilton Head to peruse the HGTV Green Home in person.  First of all, Tradition isn't anywhere near Hilton Head.  It's 20 miles from the island.  And that's where the BS begins.  As we passed through Traditions gates we were asked to park our car and were told a golf cart would take us the mere 20 feet from our vehicle to the welcome center.  We considered telling them we'd just walk over, but then thought better of it.  We paid $20 to be given a tour of the Tradition housing development and HGTV Green Home.  I was under the impression that all of the homes built in the housing development were going to be "green homes", but that is so not the case.  Moving right along to the next problem I had with the development.  There was nary a tree in sight.  They had leveled this great expanse of land in order to build several man made lakes and plots for 9,000 homes.  As far as the eye could see there was dirt everywhere and oh say about 6 of the 9,000 homes were actually built.  Four of them being model homes, one being the Green Home, and one home was actually purchased and apparently being lived in.  None of the amenities like say the pool, tennis court, gym, town square, shops, restaurants were to be seen.  Oh, and I haven't even told you the best part.  The lakes, are dyed green.  But they assured us that the dye does not harm the fish or alligators who call the water home.  Hmm.  Once we arrived at the Green Home the one word I could think of to describe it is "blah".  Everywhere you turn you're bombarded with the word "g-r-e-e-n" spelled out in various fonts and styles.  Who does that anymore?  To be fair, the home was fine, I mean I would turn it down if I won it, but it just wasn't a stunner.  Although the $300,000+ in taxes you have to pay if you won, would give me pause.  I do have to admit it was exciting seeing the various items the designer purchased in our store at home in their various rooms.  Maybe if the home was housed outside of a planned community I might have been feeling it more.  But Tradition reminded me why I'm opposed to the whole concept.  That is until we made our way to Palmetto Bluff for lunch.  Talk about eating ones words.

I'll do it my way

April 14th - Met Rebecca Robertson, deputy decorating editor for Martha Stewart.  She took several items (silk pillow, herringbone blanket, bar of soap) out of the store to use for a photo shoot.  The shoot took place at an incredible home out at Isle of Hope.  For herself she purchased a "wine notes" book.  Would have thought she already possessed such an item or even sold them at the wine shop she co-owns, Pasanella and Son, Vintners.

April 16th - Attended a lecture, by the graphic designer/novelist/ Chip Kidd, at the Trustees Theater with A.  He's everything you imagine and more.  Clever, crass, sarcastic, and funny as all get out.  And then there's Chip's band, Artbreak.  Is there anything he doesn't do?  If you aren't familiar with Chip Kidd check him out, but chances are you are very familiar with his work, you just don't know it yet.  Jurassic Park anyone?

April 17th - My Dad and sisters Birthday.  Plus, received an invitation to attend the christening of a 119 foot "mega yacht" that is about to take off for 18 months of travel on the high seas.  The yachts owner is in his early 60's and when he isn't on his "boat", he resides at a antebellum mansion in Baton Rouge.  The invitation came not from the owner of the yacht himself but from the yachts executive chef.  I've been placing special orders for her at the store for monogrammed napkins, serving pieces, and whatnot for months now.  As a thank you, she invited the owner of the store and I to attend the christening.  The dress code, "resort casual", no heels allowed.  It goes without saying I'm nervous, apparently the owners friends are all flying in on their private jets.  Talk about out of my league.

April 18th - Took the day off from work.  Lunched at Soho South Cafe with S.  Ordered the usual, grilled salmon BLT with salad.  Saw C, and was informed he's moving to LA in mere months.  Ugh.  From lunch we headed over to the Jepson to hear the designer Bunny Williams give a lecture.

Salty + Sweet

Picture this, my friend M and I are heading to the movies, Leatherheads (aside - where we saw the preview for the SATC movie for the first time, and OMG they give way too much away, but I'm still counting down the days until it comes out), last week.  We forgo our usual candy/popcorn ritual and instead bring with us cookies baked by M, in which salty and sweet coexist, the potato chip cookie.  M discovered the recipe in Bon Appétit back in high school.  These cookies will blow your mind.  And I'm not usually a fan of the crisp cookie, but these are incredible. Plus they've got the whole retro appeal going for them.

Recipe

4 sticks of butter

3 1/2 cups of flour

1 1/2 cups of sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup of crushed potato chips

Combine ingredients.  Bake at 300 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Flatten cookies slightly before baking.  Also try them with lemon.

P.S. No gourmet potato chips please.  Go with Lay's classic potato chips.

Now smell this

I've decided the scent my home shall be adorned with this season is Okeanos, part of the Aegean Sea collection of diffusers by Anthousa.  "The Aegean Sea Collection is inspired by the picturesque landscape and fresh scents of the waters of the Aegean.  Okeanos transports one to an azure-lined shore, amidst a salty sea breeze, inhaling the crisp sea air.  Sea Grass, cactus water, lime leaves, and green clover blend with ozonic sea notes to create the fresh perfection in Okeanos." Not only is the scent sublime but the bottle is stunning.  Next on the agenda, a whiff of the real thing.